MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal returns to the scene of one of his greatest Grand Slam triumphs when the Australian Open begins Monday, with women’s number one Iga Swiatek headlining the night session on the showpiece Rod Laver Arena.
A year ago, the 36-year-old Spaniard defied a long injury layoff and a two-set deficit in the final against Daniil Medvedev to win his second Melbourne Park title and a record 21st Grand Slam.
The top seed, who extended that record to 22 titles at Roland Garros, faces a testing first-round clash against emerging 21-year-old Briton Jack Draper, who reached the Adelaide semifinals last week.
“Probably one of the toughest first rounds possible... young, powerful, growing very, very fast in the rankings, playing well,” said Nadal of Draper, the world number 40.
Swiatek said she was ready for an “intense” opening match against Germany’s Jule Neimeier, the world number 69 who reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year.
The pair’s only previous meeting came in the last 16 of the 2022 US Open, where Swiatek dropped the first set before coming through 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 and going on to win her third Grand Slam title.
Earlier, American seventh seed Coco Gauff will have the honor of playing the opening match on Rod Laver Arena against the Czech Republic’s world number 46 Katerina Siniakova.
Seventh-ranked Gauff heads into the first Grand Slam of the year on a high after winning her third WTA title at the Auckland Classic this month.
Gauff holds a 3-1 career win-loss record against Siniakova, with the lone defeat coming in a group match at last year’s Billie Jean King Cup.
They will be followed onto the center court by Greek sixth seed Maria Sakkari, who faces Yuan Yue of China, the world number 117, before the Nadal v Draper clash.
Daniil Medvedev has been the Australian Open runner-up for the past two years, losing first to Djokovic in 2021 and then Nadal 12 months ago.
Seeded seven, the Russian will round off the first night session on Rod Laver Arena against 60th-ranked American Marcus Giron.
Third seed Jessica Pegula is fancied by many to make a Slam breakthrough this year and she will open proceedings on Margaret Court Arena against Romania’s world number 161 Jaqueline Cristian.
The 28-year-old starred for the victorious USA team at the United Cup in Sydney this month, where she won four of her five matches and beat Swiatek in the semifinal.
She has never made it past the last eight in a major and lost to the eventual champion Ashleigh Barty at that stage in Melbourne a year ago.
Later on the same court the only two previous women’s Australian Open champions in the draw will square off.
Victoria Azarenka, the Belarusian 2012 and 2013 winner, will play Sofia Kenin, whose lone Grand Slam title came in Australia in 2020.
Also in action on Monday are men’s third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who plays 64th-ranked Frenchman Quentin Halys, and last year’s women’s runner-up, the American 13th seed Danielle Collins who starts against Anna Kalinskaya of Russia.
Novak Djokovic, who was detained and deported ahead of last year’s tournament after refusing to get vaccinated for Covid-19, begins his campaign for a record-extending 10th Australian Open title on Tuesday.
Nadal begins Open defense, Swiatek targets maiden Melbourne title
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Nadal begins Open defense, Swiatek targets maiden Melbourne title
- Swiatek says she is ready for an “intense” opening match against Germany’s Jule Neimeier
From Turkiye to Saudi Arabia: A rally champion’s historic comeback
- Burcu Cetinkaya, winner of the WRC Abu Dhabi Special Award in 2010, is now competing in World Rally Championship round in KSA
ANKARA: “Attention, Female Driver!” — a phrase often found on humorous but outdated and sexist stickers — takes on a powerful new meaning when referring to Burcu Cetinkaya, one of Turkiye’s most celebrated rally drivers.
Far from being a cautionary quip, it becomes an invitation to witness a trailblazer who is not only reclaiming her place in the World Rally Championship, or WRC, but also reshaping the narrative for women in motorsports — a field historically dominated by men.
Cetinkaya, an eight-time Turkish Ladies Rally Champion and the winner of the WRC Abu Dhabi Special Award in 2010, is now embarking on her journey to compete in the World Rally Championship round in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
She has expressed immense excitement about returning to the WRC rallies, as her last participation was back in 2018. She regards the WRC, hosted by the International Automobile Federation, as the pinnacle of global motorsport competition.
Speaking exclusively to Arab News during the F1 Qatar Grand Prix, Cetinkaya reflected on her difficult WRC appearance in 2018.
“I wasn’t ready, the car wasn’t ready and everything felt rushed. It was a harsh reminder of how much preparation and focus this sport requires. But deep inside, my love for rallying never faded — it only grew stronger,” she said.
The turning point came when her former manager, Pier Liberali, invited her to a rally in Italy. That invitation reignited her passion and brought her back to the track, competing in the Turkish Rally Championship with a Renault Clio Rally3.
Winning the Ladies Rally Championship for the seventh and eighth time in consecutive years proved to her that her passion for the sport could overcome any challenge.
“This year, my dream to return to international rallies came true. Discussions with my co-driver, Fabrizia Pons, and the excitement of WRC returning to Saudi Arabia pushed me to prepare for my comeback, starting with the Acropolis Rally in Greece, held this September.
“Rallying is not just about winning — it’s about finding yourself through every twist, turn and obstacle. And for me, that journey has been worth every struggle,” she said.
Competing in Saudi Arabia is meaningful for Cetinkaya, both personally and professionally, as it is a full-circle moment that reflects how far things have come — not just in the region, but also in the world of motorsport.
“I’ve raced in the Middle East Rally Championship and traveled extensively in Saudi Arabia, even filming and following events like the Hail Rally. Yet, back then, I wasn’t even allowed to drive on the roads, let alone compete,” she said.
When Cetinkaya first heard that women were allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, she was ecstatic.
“During the Formula One race in Jeddah, I asked my driver if I could just take the wheel for a moment — just one meter — to feel what that represented. It was a small but powerful experience that I’ll never forget,” she said.
Hearing that WRC was coming to Saudi Arabia felt like the culmination of so much progress.
“Now I have the chance to compete at the highest level of rallying. It’s both a personal triumph and a testament to how change is possible when barriers are broken,” she said.
Cetinkaya’s impressive career includes three years in the Middle East Rally Championship, where she achieved podium finishes in Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar — often standing out as the sole female driver on the podium among a field of men.
“The Middle East Rally Championship that I competed in for three years and also the Qatar Rally Championship, where I finished second overall after the Al-Kuwari brothers, was an amazing experience. It’s much different from the World Rally Championship. There are parts that are easier and parts that are harder,” she said.
“The easier part is that the races are shorter, but the desert conditions were not something that I was used to. When you’re on the mountain roads, you can read the terrain a little, but in the desert it’s much harder to anticipate what’s ahead. Also, the locals were very experienced with the stages, but I wanted to fight hard to secure a top podium position in the general classification.
“Slowly but surely, managing that throughout these three years was an amazing experience. I think at the time, I would have loved to continue and try to win the Middle East Rally Championship, but life is also full of twisty roads. My adventure was just three years long, but who knows? Maybe someday I will come back because it was beautiful,” she added.
In February this year, Cetinkaya was appointed chairperson of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile Women in Motorsport Commission during the World Motor Sport Council, becoming the first non-EU citizen to hold the prestigious position.
Competing in Turkish, Middle Eastern, European and World Rally Championship events taught Cetinkaya to focus on constant self-improvement: Identifying her weaknesses, building on her strengths and evolving with every race.
“But over time, my perspective has shifted. While I still love the thrill of rallying and give my best every time I compete, my greatest joy now comes from seeing others succeed — especially women in motorsport. As the chair of the Women in Motorsport Commission at the FIA, it’s an honor to support and inspire young girls to step into this incredible world,” she said.
Moments like watching an 8-year-old girl on the podium in the Cross-Car Mini Category at the Motorsport Games, knowing she is there under the wings of her commission, bring Cetinkaya a kind of fulfilment that is unmatched. Seeing these young talents and knowing she can help pave the way for their success is the most rewarding part of her journey right now.
She often reflects on her own childhood experience, remembering how she was inspired to start rally driving after attending a rally aged 12.
“At the time, a Turkish champion rally driver, Emre Yerlici, was racing with an Opel Calibra. There was a big battle between him and Iskender Atakan. When I saw that rally as a 12-year-old child, because of my father’s job, I fell in love with rallying. I fell in love with how it was a team effort and how it required overcoming so many challenges,” she said.
Beyond racing, Cetinkaya has made significant contributions to the global promotion of motorsport. She has spearheaded educational collaborations with the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports and Red Bull, and has conducted outreach programs at universities in Pakistan.
“Rallying may have started as my personal passion, but it’s grown into a mission to empower others to achieve their dreams,” she said.
Cetinkaya now looks forward to racing in Saudi Arabia not just for the sport itself, but also for the symbolic power of what it represents: Growth, opportunity, and a future where women can fully take part and shine in motorsport.
She expressed her admiration for the emerging talents from the Middle East, highlighting the region’s growing impact on the global motorsport scene.
“I am so proud and happy to see a lot of talents rising from the Middle East,” Cetinkaya said. “In the Formula 1 Academy, the Al-Qubaisi sisters are present, especially Hamda Al-Qubaisi, who is doing an amazing job.
“Dania Akeel from Saudi Arabia is a rising star in rallies like Dakar, Reem Al-Aboud has driven a Formula E car on International Women’s Day and Reema Juffali was the wildcard entry in the Saudi GP for the Formula 1 Academy. And let’s not forget Nada Zaidan, who competed in many rally events.”
Shahzaib Khan’s brilliant 159 powers Pakistan Under-19 to 43-run victory over India
- Khan’s extraordinary performance anchored Pakistan’s innings, helped them post 281 for 7
- In reply, India were bundled out for 238 in 47.1 overs despite a fighting 67 by Nikhil Kumar
ISLAMABAD: Opener Shahzaib Khan’s scintillating 159 powered Pakistan Under-19 to a 43-run victory over arch-rivals India in a Group A match of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Shahzaib’s knock, spanning 147 balls and featuring five fours and 10 sixes, anchored Pakistan’s innings as they posted 281 for 7 in 50 overs.
India, in reply, were bundled out for 238 in 47.1 overs despite a fighting 67 by Nikhil Kumar.
The Mansehra-born opener shared a 160-run stand with Usman Khan (60 off 94 balls), setting a solid platform. Their partnership came on the back of impressive recent form, with Shahzaib and Usman scoring 330 and 314 runs, respectively, in a tri-series against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates.
“There was a lot of seam movement, and the fast bowlers were getting good support,” Khan said after the match. “But after spending some time at the crease, when the spinners came on, I focused on dispatching deliveries in my range to the boundary.”
“By God’s grace, it worked out for me today,” he added.
Khan continued to dominate with a 71-run third-wicket stand with Muhammad Riazullah (27). Pakistan accelerated late in the innings, adding 74 runs in the last 10 overs, as captain Saad Baig’s decision to bat first paid off.
India’s Samarth Nagaraj was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-45, while Ayush Mhatre chipped in with 2-30.
India started their chase positively but lost early wickets. Abdul Subhan dismissed Mhatre (20) in the fourth over, while Ali Raza removed Vaibhav Suryavanshi in the next spell, leaving the team reeling at 28 for 2.
Usman Khan and Faham-ul-Haq continued to build pressure, reducing India to 81 for 4.
A 53-run partnership between Nikhil Kumar and Kiran Chormale (20) briefly revived India, but Faham broke the stand by dismissing Chormale.
Kumar’s valiant 77-ball 67 ended when he was caught off Naveed Ahmed Khan at 174, dashing India’s hopes of a recovery.
Ali Raza’s 3-36 led the bowling for Pakistan, with Abdul Subhan (2-45) and Faham-ul-Haq (2-41) providing crucial support.
Pakistan will next face the UAE on December 2 at the same venue.
Team Speedcar Audi makes it 4 as Elite takes crown in Jeddah
- The #3 Team Speedcar Audi had to win if the French duo was to stand a chance of taking the title
- The #78 Elite Motorsport McLaren required a finish of 8th or better secure the crown, ultimately surviving a nervy race to take 5th at the Saudi venue
JEDDAH: French racers Robert Consani and Benjamin Lariche secured a fourth successive GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club victory by taking Saturday’s season finale in Jeddah.
However, the win was not enough to stop Tom Lebbon and Josh Rattican from being crowned 2024 Silver class champions, said a media statement.
The #3 Team Speedcar Audi had to win if the French duo was to stand a chance of taking the title and did exactly that thanks to another inch-perfect performance.
The #78 Elite Motorsport McLaren required a finish of eighth or better secure the crown, ultimately surviving a nervy race to take fifth at the Saudi venue.
Meanwhile, NM Racing Team bagged the Pro-Am win, while a third-place result was enough to seal the class crown for Finn Zulauf and Max Kronberg (#30 W&S Motorsport Porsche). Am honors went to Kevin Jimenez and Florent Grizaud (#72 GPA Racing Aston Martin), who triumphed for a second time this term.
Speedcar Audi had qualified on pole, but started fourth on the grid following a penalty for Consani blocking a rival car during qualifying. The Frenchman wasted no time in returning to the front, immediately jumping to third before passing both the pole-sitting #77 Elite Motorsport McLaren and the #17 L’Espace Bienvenue BMW on successive laps.
As the race settled down the #3 Audi established an advantage at the head of the field and remained in control following a full-course yellow and safety car intervention.
Behind, the #17 BMW held on to second ahead of the #77 McLaren, the #62 Academy Motorsport Ford and the #78 McLaren.
The front two remained unchanged after the pit window, while the Ford leapfrogged the #77 for third spot. Now in the hands of Lariche, the Audi stretched its advantage significantly during the second half. Indeed, by the time the checkered flag fell the Frenchman was more than 11 seconds clear of the #17 BMW.
The Team Speedcar crew had done everything they could to snatch the title.
With the Audi disappearing up the road, attention switched to the progress of the #78 McLaren, which was driven by Rattican during the second stint.
He lost a place to the #82 Racing Spirit of Leman Aston Martin of Jamie Day, who also overhauled the #77 McLaren a few laps later. The #78 then passed the sister car, which had been handed a five-second track limits penalty.
Rattican could have cruised to the finish, but instead spent the closing minutes in a close-fought battle for the final spot on the podium, which ultimately went to the #82 Aston Martin after a last-lap pass on the #62 Ford.
There were nervous faces in the Elite garage, but the McLaren squad could breathe a sigh of relief when Rattican crossed the line in fifth to seal the Silver title.
The GT4 European Series Powered by RAFA Racing Club will return on Apr. 11-13 when Circuit Paul Ricard launches another season of multi-class racing.
Motorsport hero Valentino Rossi gives his verdict on Jeddah street circuit
- BMW driver competing in Saudi Arabia for first time says: ‘I really like the atmosphere’
- Rossi chasing victory in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe final round
JEDDAH: After finishing his opening laps on Jeddah Corniche on the first day of the final round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, Italian race car driver and former motorcycle racer Valentino Rossi said that racing at the Jeddah Circuit is both an exciting and challenging experience.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the day, Rossi said that he enjoyed the experience behind the wheel on the fastest street circuit in the world.
“First of all, let me say that this is my first time in Saudi Arabia and I really like the atmosphere. We are really enjoying our stay while competing.
“Regarding the circuit, it is surrounded by walls as it is a street circuit, which makes the race more difficult with 49 cars racing on the circuit at the same time.
The Italian racing legend — known as “The Doctor” because of his clinical dismantling of opponents — said: “My first impression was OK. It is very slippery and you have to go fast between the walls, but in the end we got used to it through the last two days since we arrived.”
He added: “It is well known that street circuits often require extra effort from drivers. The walls are very close to the track.”
The BMW factory driver told Arab News that he is enjoying competing in the GT World Challenge Europe, and hopes to continue with a positive result on the final day on Saturday.
“We really had a good season and our performance is getting better in the hope to bring a successful result Saturday night,” he said.
The seven-time MotoGP world champion retired from MotoGP in 2021, and is currently competing in both the World Endurance Championship and the GT World Challenge Europe for BMW.
Benzema shines as leaders Al-Ittihad thrash Al-Ettifaq
- In his first league appearance after missing the last four games through injury, the French forward had the ball in the net after 27 minutes
JEDDAH: Karim Benzema returned to action in style Saturday as Al-Ittihad won 4-0 at Ettifaq, scoring one and recording two assists to help the leaders stay on top of the Saudi Pro League.
In his first league appearance after missing the last four games through injury, the French forward had the ball in the net after 27 minutes. A beautiful short pass inside the area from N’Golo Kante took out three defenders to leave Benzema to sweep home from close range but VAR ruled that he had been just offside.
The roles were reversed eight minutes later and this time the goal stood. Benzema picked up possession in a crowded situation just outside the area, slipped a little pass to his right for Kante to burst into the box in a central occasion to fire home a low shot.
Eight minutes after the restart, Benzema got his goal. Marek Rodak got down well to save a fierce shot from Steven Bergwijn and there was the French striker to show his goal scoring instinct to pounce upon the rebound to put the ball into an empty net. It was a ninth goal of the season that puts him level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the standings, three behind Al-Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Two more goals came in quick succession midway through the second half. After 66 minutes Houssem Aouar made it three and then Bergwijn added to Ettifaq’s pain four minutes later, running clear of the defense to score after a fine pass from Benzema.
It was harsh on the home team who have now gone nine league games without a win. The pressure was already on head coach Steven Gerrard but the Liverpool legend and his team are now just three points clear of the relegation zone. Next comes a tricky away trip to Al-Khaleej.
Al-Ittihad, meanwhile, are riding high.
